Coca-Cola 600 Pit Note #16

NHRA Top Fuel Driver Del Worsham and Al-Anabi Racing team owner Alan Johnson greeted the media this afternoon in the Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Center prior to staging a burnout on pit road as part of the pre-race ceremonies for the Coca-Cola 600.

The Al-Anabi team has also won the last two events at zMAX Dragway, which recently hosted the VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA Four Wide Nationals. Worsham noted he was glad to show NASCAR fans just what an NHRA Top Fuel car is capable of doing.

“These cars are exciting,” said Worsham. “You get to see the kind of horsepower these cars turn. [Talking about his season] The year has started off great. Coming from Funny Cars to Top Fuel with Larry Dixon [teammate] and to be leading the points shows the dedication we have over here, what Alan Johnson has put together. I’m glad to be a part of it. I look forward to the rest of the year. [What’s it like racing for the Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Thani?] Most people don’t know that he is only 24 years old. This whole two-car Top Fuel team was his idea. He’s very passionate about his drag racing. It’s been exciting and fun and great racing for him. We have a fast car that is prepared well. We have the best team out there. Drag racing is about all I know.”

Team owner Johnson also noted how great this season has been.

“2011 has been a great season for me,” said Johnson. “It’s been a learning experience, too. The differences in our cultures, being involved with Qatar, as well as the sheikh himself. He is quite passionate about motorsports. Whenever you are involved with somebody from a financial standpoint, to do the work it takes, it’s been exciting and fun. [On the next big technology in motorsports] At some point I would think the NASCAR boys would be using electronic fuel injection. I think that is something that may end up in drag racing, as well. We have the kind of crew that put their heads together time and time again. Each time you have to have the car perfect. It’s great to watch the guys do that.”

AMS Announces AdvoCare 500 – Atlanta Motor Speedway President and General Manager Ed Clark announced a multi-year deal for health and wellness company AdvoCare to sponsor the speedway’s fall NASCAR Sprint Cup race. This year’s AdvoCare 500, the crown jewel of the “USA’s Biggest Labor Day Party,” will be Sept. 4.

“A lot of people don’t know who we are,” AdvoCare President and CEO Richard Wright said. “We hope to change that. As you know, NASCAR is the No. 1 spectator sport in America, and NASCAR fans are pretty loyal folks. This is a great opportunity to introduce our products to these loyal fans.”

AdvoCare has four product lines: health and wellness, sports performance, energy and weight loss. The company already counts a handful of NASCAR drivers and owners as endorsers of their products, including Richard Petty, Mark Martin, Aric Almirola, David Starr and Blake Koch.